The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

After reading Far From The Madding Crowd I got very curious about Thomas Hardy and I bought more books he wrote. The first one I read was The Mayor of Casterbridge. I finally finished it. It took me a while as I did put the book away sometimes. The story is well written, but very depressing from time to time. It is about the rise and fall of Michael Henchard. He sold his wife and daugher at a fairground atraction and became mayor of Casterbridge. Then his wife and daughter re-appear and everything goes wrong from there. As I said, it is very well written and one of Hardy's best books. But I can't help it but feeling depressed sometimes when I read some parts of the book. I don't want to feel depressed so I did read some other books in the meanwhile. Or parts of them, as I should say. I find this book a nice one, but I have no idea if I read it again. I don't feel the same vibes that I felt when reading Far From The Madding Crowd. I think that that is really Hardy's best book. I am off Hardy for a while now. I started a Stephen Fry book and I have more books I have bought and are waiting to be read.